Carving Tool Sets

The awkward thing about buying carving tools individually is that you cannot know which sweeps you will use most until you have carved for a while, and you cannot carve until you own some tools. A well composed set solves that problem. It puts a sensible spread of shapes in your hands at once, at a lower cost per tool than buying piecemeal, and after a few projects you will know exactly which gouges are wearing out their edges fastest and where to spend next.

The Narex PROFI range is where most people start: a set of 6 and boxed set of 8 for general relief carving, a detail set of 8 for finer modelling, a palm set of 5 for close work held in the hand, and a set of 4 carving knives for whittling and chip carving. The 'Start' chisel and spoon carving sets are a more modest introduction, the Kuksa set is built for hollowing drinking cups, and the Narex 8125 Firmer Gouges, boxed or plain, bridge carving and joinery.

Ashley Iles tools are forged in Lincolnshire to a traditional pattern. The Complete York Set is the most comprehensive option here, gathering the full run of sweeps and widths in one purchase, while the two Peter Benson sets are ideal for fine and detailed work - Set 1 as a first kit, Set 2 extending it once you are past the basics. Ray Iles sets of 5 (left and right handed) come with a free tool roll.

Japanese carving tools laminate a hard high carbon steel edge to a softer body. Fujikawa supply uchihagane nomi gouges for sculptural work, uramaru nomi with a curved section for hollows, and umeki nomi. The Michi Hamono 5 piece set is the premium choice, hand forged and beautifully finished.

Whichever you choose, plan for sharpening from the outset: curved edges need slipstones and shaped strops rather than flat stones, and carving tools are honed far more often than bench chisels.